Valve construction for proportioning devices



Dec. 12, 1950 G. A. MAU 2,534,046

VALVE CONSTRUCTION FOR PROPORTIONING DEVICES Filed OCI'.. 2l, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. l2, 1950 G. A. MAU

VALVE CONSTRUCTION FOR PRoPoRTIoNING DEvIcEs 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed OGC, 21, 1949 Patented Dec. l2, 1950 VALVE CONSTRUCTION FOR PROPORTIONING DEVICES George A'. Maul.. Lakewood, Ohio, assigner to Johnson-Maroh Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of@ Delaware Apllcationctoher 21, 1949, Serial No. 122,731

tavola-img.. (ci. 21o-3e) This invention relates toVv improvements in: valves for controlling huidZ flow, and: more particula'rlyr to improvements. inI valves' for use inA conjunction with proportioning` devices` whereina soluble material; suche as a: wetting agent, is added to water or other liquid'at a uniform rate;

Heretofore in devices of this kind: the-soluble material was not alwaysv added tothe watery at a uniformy rate due tofthe' fact that such materials are more soluble in warm water. thanthey. are in cold water. Thus in the summe-r when the water flowing;y through the proportioning device vis relatively warm. more of: thesoluble. materia] will be added to the water than in the winter whenthe; water is cold, and` in the spring and fall when the water iszat some temperature between the two extremes a stilldifterent amount of` the` soluble materialI` will be. added tothe water.

With the foregoing. in'` mind, the. principal object of this invention is to-*provde for use with proportioning apparatusv as set forth novel valve means operable-to cause the addition of a, soluble material.v such as a wetting. agent, to water at a. substantially constant rate. regardless ofr seasonal changes in the water temperature:

Another object of this invention is to provide novel valve means as set forthv which is con'- structedand operableto alter the path of'iiowof water withirespect to a mass of soluble material in proportioning apparatus so as to beV able to change the amount of solute added'to the" water.`

Another object' of; this inventionis`to provide a novel` valve means for use` in proportioning de*- vices which is'highly'eiiective"andeicient inoperation, relatively inexpensive to manufacture f and substantially foolproof in use.`

These and other objectsof the inventionA and the various features anddetails off the construction and operation thereof a-rehereinafter fully set forth and described with referenceto-the aclil Z Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. showingi the.' valve in the summer position with the Water lesivi-- ing by the side ports and Fig. 'l is a View similarI to Fig. 5 showingthe' valve in the winter position with the water leave' ing by the top ports;

Referring more specically to the drawings, reference numeral IG designates generally apro-i portioning device comprising a cylindrical'ca'sin'g lI having its upper end openV and adapted. t'o bei' closed by a cover |12 secured to' the casing H2 by: means of wing nuts |13, a gasket IllA being posi-f tioned between the casingil and the cover Hto prevent leakage. An air vent I5 is providediln' the cover I2 to permit the ow offairin and ontof the proportioningV device I'i Atthe upper endf of the casing II is a water outlet'portlSwhilea proportioning valve I'i made according' to the present invention is located` at the bottoml of the' casing Il.

The proportioning valve Il comprises a casing I8 in which is provided the usual packing gland (not shown) through which the valve stem'l passes. The valve casing: I8* is" secured to the bottom' of the proportioning/ device Itby? means of" threads t8a: screwed-intothe'inlet- Ita at the bottom' o'f the'ca'sing` Hf. A valve seat;2-Iffis1posiftioned nwardly'of the casing I-l and is secured to the casing' Il in coaxial" alignment with the valve casing` I8, bymeans of a' threaded end'ZlJ screwed" into the upper endio the inlety l I'a-'of the 'Ihe valve element' 2 also. has'twosets of ports therein one set of ports 2.1" beingvetricallytherei through and arranged' for cooperation with' the openings 25 in the valveseat Z Theotherset of portsf'l' is circumferentially 'displaced 45'froin the. ports' 2T" and areout'partiallvup;tlesideF of the valve element 2l as most clearly shown inFijgf; 3L'- These ports 28`are arrangedior' cooperation with the openings 2'6 nthevalve seat? 2'0, Inl coaxial' alignment With" the valve" seatf 20 and 'xedly secured` thereto is'a spider 29lwliic1'i has a set of orifices 36 extending therethrough. The orifices 30 are inclined tangentially to the vertical axis of the spider 29 and are arranged so as to eject the water with a swirling motion. A cylindrical mass of water soluble material 3| rests on the spider 29 in the position shown.

Attached to the lower-end of the valve stem I9 is a handle 32 having a stop 33 thereon. Stop 33 is adapted to engage circumferentially spaced lugs 34 projecting from the valve casing I8 and thus limit rotation of the valve stem I9 and hence of the valve element 2|. Thus, the lugs 34 are disposed so that when the handle 32 is at one limit position the ports 28 of the valve element 2| are in register with the openings 26 in the valve seat 2|) and the openings 25 of the valve seat 20 are closed by the valve element 2|, therefore, Water will flow upwardly through ports 28 and laterally outward through the openings 26 thence upwardly along the mass of soluble material 3| i and be discharged from the outlet port I6. This is the position used, for example, in the sum-mer when the water usually is warm and does not have to be in contact with the soluble material very long to form the proper solution.

When the handle 32 is turned to the other limit position the ports 21 of the valve element 2| are in register with the openings in the valve seat 20 and the openings 26 of the valve seat 26 are closed by the valve element 2|. In this case the water is discharged directly upward through the orices of the spider 29 and into contact with the bottom of the mass of soluble material 3|. The water then works its way laterally outward and passes upwardly along the soluble material 3| and is discharged from the proportioning device |0 through the outlet I6. This is the position used, for example, in the winter months when the water is cold and must be in contact with the soluble material for a longer time in order to take-up the required amount of said material.

When the handle is midway between the two limit positions both sets of openings 25 and 26 in the valve seat 20 are partially opened by the two sets of ports 21 and 2'8, respectively, of the valve element 2| and part of the water is discharged in a swirling motion under the soluble material 3| while the remainder of the water flows up along the side of the Soluble material 3|. This is the neutral position and is used when the water is at some medium temperature and must be kept in contact with the soluble material 3| for a slightly longer time than is needed in the warm water position in order` to form the proper solution.

Means are provided in the casing I I to stop the flow of liquid therethrough when the soluble material 3| has been diminished. In the present instance Ya bracket 39 is pivotally mounted to the cover I2 as shown at 40 and has an extension 4I thereon which rits downwardly in the casing and is adapted to be held to one side of the casing by the mass of soluble material. As the soluble material is diminished, the bracket 39 is allowed to pivot about the point 40 and in doing so positions a gasket 42 over the outlet opening I6, thus cutting off the ow of liquid.

Fig. 1 shows an arrangement whereby two of the proportioning devices may be connected together so that the ow of Water may be selectively controlled to flow through either one or both of the proportioning devices. The water enters at and when the three-way valve 36 is open and globe valve 31 closed the water will flow up through the proportioning device Illa on the right, discharge through its outlet I6a, pass down through check valve 38 into the proportioning device Ib on the left and thence through the outlet I16b. On the other hand, when the globe valve 31 is open and the three-way valve 36 closed, water Will flow only through the proportioning device Ib on the left. The purpose of the check valve 38 is to prevent the reverse flow of water through the proportioning device Illa on the right when the three-way valve 36 is turned to permit drainage of the proportioning device IIlb.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides novel valve means for use with proportioning apparatus to cause addition of a soluble material, such as a wetting agent, to water at a substantially constant rate regardless of seasonal changes in the water temperature. The invention 1also provides novel valve means which is constructed and operable to alter the path of flow of water with respect to a mass of soluble material in a proportioning apparatus so as to be able to change the amount of solute added to the water.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described herein it is not intended to limit the invention to such disclosures and changes and modifications may be incorporated and embodied therein within the scope of the following claims.

Iclaim:

l. In a proportioning device comprising a casing having liquid inlet and outlet openings respectively at the bottom and top thereof and adapted to contain a mass of soluble material in contact with liquid owing through the casing, a valve mechanism including a valve seat secured in the liquid inlet opening, said valve seat having therein a rst set of ports opening upwardly into the casing and a second series of ports opening laterally into the casing through said valve seat, a valve element cooperatively associated with said valve seat and movable between predetermined limit positions, said valve element having a plurality of passages therein arranged in one limit position of the valve element to communicate with and provide liquid ilow through the first set of ports only in the valve seat and in the 'other limit position thereof to communicate with and provide liquid flow through the other set of ports only in said valve seat.

2. In a proportioning device comprising a casing having liquid inlet and outlet openings respectively at the bottom Iand top thereof and adapted to contain a mass of soluble material in contact with liquid flowing through the casing, a valve mechanism including a valve seat secured in the liquid inlet opening, said valve seat having therein a first set of ports opening upwardly into the casing and a second series of ports opening laterally into the casing through the valve seat, a valve element cooperatively associated with said valve seat and movable between predetermined limit positions, said valve element having two sets of passages therein arranged so that in one limit position of the valve element one set of passages is in communication with the first set of ports only in the valve seat and in the other limit position thereof the other set of passages is in communication with the other set o'f ports only in said valve seat.

3. In a proportioning device comprising a casing having liquid inlet and outlet openings respectively at the bottom and top thereof and adapted to contain a mass of soluble materialin contact with liquid flowing through the casing, a support member in the casing for the soluble. material having a surface portion upon whichl said material is adapted torest, said support member having therein a plurality of orifices opening upwardly through saidY surface portion, valve mechanism including a member mounting said support member and secured in the liquid inlet opening in the lower end ofthe casing, saidmounting member having therein a iirst set ot ports in register :with the lower ends ofthe orices in the Asupport member and a second series ofy ports opening laterally into the casingthrough said mounting member, a valve element'cooperatively associated with said mounting member and movable between predetermined limit positions, said valve element having a plurality ofV passages therein arranged in one limit position of thevalve element to communicate with and provide liquidI flow through the rst set of ports only in vthe mounting member and in the other limit position thereof to communicate with and provide lioiiiol iiovv through. the other eet of; Porte. only. in said mounting member.

4- Iii a nroportionine device comprising a. oasine having liquid inlet and outlet openings. re- Speetivelv at the bottom and. top. thereof alle adapted to contain a mass of soluble material in contact with liquid owing through the casing, a

support member in the casing for the soluble material having a surface portion upon which said material is adapted to rest, said support member having therein a plurality of oriiiees opening upwardly through said surface portion, valve mechanism including a member mounting said supportv member and secured in the liquid inlet opening in the lower erld Of the. casing, said mounting member having therein aV niet. eet. oi ports in register with the lower ends of the orifices in the support member and a second Series Qi ports opening laterally into the casing through said mounting member, a valve elementcoopera-l tively aesoeiated. `vvith Said mounting member and movable between predeterminedlmt pOSitions, said valve element having, two: sete. of. pasgages therein arranged so that in one limit positi'm o f the valve element one. Set of passages is in eominunieatioii with. the niet Set of ports oiilv iii the mounting member and in. the othery limit` position thereof the other Set of passages is. oorniiiiiiiieation with the other set of; norte. only said mounting inemben 5. nooortienine device Comprising. a cas: ing having liquid inlet and outlet, openings rer` spectively at the bottom and toll thereofr and adapted to contain a mass of soluble material in contact with liquid flowing through the casing, a. support member in the casing fon theV soluble material having a surface portion upon which said material is adapted to rest, said support member having therein a plurality of orifices opening up.- wardly through said surface portion, valve mechanism including a member mounting-'saidV support member and secured in theliquidfinlet opening in the lower end ofthe casing-,`said mounting member having therein a first set of ports in register with the lower ends ofy the or-ices inthe support member and a second series of ports opening laterally into the casing through said mounting member, a valve element cooperatively associated with said mounting member and movable between predetermined limit positions, said valve element having two sets off'passages therein arranged in one limit position ofrthe valve elementto. have one set. of passages. comi municate withr and` prov-ide liquid ow. lthrough the rst'set of ports only in themounting meme. ber andin theother limit position thereof;V to have theother set of passages communicate with, and provide liquid flow through the other set of' port-s only in said mounting member, and` setsv of passages being arranged. so that in. an inten-f.V mediate position of' the element the passages are at least partially in communicationl with both. the first andsecondsets of por-ts in the. mounting? member to permit flow therethrough.

6. In a proportioning device comprising acase ing having liquid inlet and outletv openings reaY spectivelyat the bottom and top thereof and; adapted tocontain a massof4 soluble material in contact with liquid owing through the casing, a support member inthe casing fory the soluble material having a surface portion upon which, said material is adapted to rest, said support member having therein a plurality of ori-ces opening upwardly through said surface portion andtangentially inclined about a centerpoint so that liquid` discharged upwardly therethrough is given a swirling motion,l valve mechanism ineludihe a member mounting. Said support niembe'r. andV secured in a liquid inlet opening in the lower end of the casing, said'mounting member-y having therein a iirst s et of ports in register with the lower ends oi the orices in the support,- member and: a second; Series of ports opening laterally into the casing through said mounting membena valve element cooperativelyYassociated with Said mounting member and` movable between predetermined limit positionsy Said` valve element having a plurality of passages therein arranged in one. limit position oiy the valve element toA communicate with andr provide liquid ilovv through the rst Set of' norte only iii, tile mounting member and in the other limit position thereof to. communicate with and provide liquid flow through the other set of ports only in said mounting member.

'7. Ihn a proportioningdevice comprising a cashaving liquid inlet and outlet openings re- Spotivelvat the bottom and top thereof and lpted vto contain a mass of soluble material in contact with liquid iiowing through the casine., asnpoort member inA theeasine for the solo; ble material having a Surface portion upon vvliioh said` material iS adapted, to reety said support member having thereinvr a nluralilsfv of orifices. opening upwardly through Said Siiriaee port ii and. ta'nsentiallv inclined. about. a center point so that liquid dischargedupwardly therethrough is given a swirling motion,valve mechanism including a member mounting said supDOlt meme ber and secured in a liquid inlet opening in the lower end of the casing, said mountingl member having therein a rst set of ports in register with the lower ends o the orices in the support member and a second series of ports opening laterally into the casing through said mounting member, a valve elementl cooperatively associated with said mounting member and movable between predetermined limit positions, said valve element having two sets of passages therein arranged in one limit position of the valve element to have one set of passages communicate with and provide liquid flow through the first set of portsfonly in the mounting member and in the other limit position thereof to have the otherset of passages communicate with and provide liquid nowthrough the other set of ports only in said mounting member; Y 1

8. In a proportioning device comprising a casing having liquid inlet and outlet openings respectively at the bottom and top thereof and adapted to contain a mass of soluble material in contact with liquid flowing through the casing, a support member in the casing for the soluble material having a surface portion upon which said material is adapted to rest, said support member having therein a plurality of orifices opening upwardly through said surface portion and tangentially inclined about a center point so that liquid discharged upwardly therethrough is given a swirling motion, valve mechanism including a member mounting said support member and secured in a liquid inlet opening in the lower end of the casing, said mounting member having therein a rst set of ports in register with the lower ends of the orifices in the support member and a second series of ports opening laterally into the casing through said mounting member, a valve element cooperatively associated with said mounting member and movable between predetermined limit positions, said valve element having two sets of passages therein arranged in one limit position of the valve element to have one set of passages communicate with and provide liquid ow through the rst set of ports only in the mounting member and in the other limit position thereof to have the other set of passages communicate with and provide liquid flow through the other set of ports only in said mounting member, and said sets of passages being arranged so that in an intermediate position of the element the passages are at least partially in communication with both the rst and second sets of ports in the mounting member to permit flow therethrough.

9. In a proportioning device comprising a casing having liquid inlet and outlet openings respectively at the bottom and top thereof and adapted to contain a mass of soluble material in contact with liquid flowing through the casing, a valve mechanism including a valve seat having therein a rst set of ports opening in a direction axially of the casing and a second set of ports opening transversely of the casing, a valve element cooperatively associated with said valve seat and movable between predetermined limit positions, said valve element having a plurality of passages therein arranged in one limit position of the valve element to communicate with and provide liquid ilow through the first set of ports only in the seat and in the other limit position thereof to communicate with and 'provide liquid flow through the other set i of ports only in said seat. l

l0. In a proportioning device comprising a casing having liquid inlet and outlet openings respectively at the bottom and top thereof and adapted to contain a mass of soluble material in contact with liquid flowing through the casing, a support member in the casing for the soluble material having a surface portion upon which said material is adapted to rest, said support member having therein a plurality of oriirces opening upwardly through said surface portion, valve mechanism including a mounting member secured in the liquid inlet opening in the lower end of the casing and having therein a iirst set of ports in register with the lower ends of the orices in the support member and a second series of ports opening laterally into the casing through said mounting member, a valve element cooperatively associated with said mounting member and movable between predetermined limit positions,

a handle exteriorly of the casing operable manually to rotate the valve element, and spaced stop means in the path of the handle to limit rotation thereof and of the valve element to said predetermined positions, said valve element having a plurality of passages therein arranged in one limit position of the valve element to communicate with and provide liquid low through the first set of ports only in the mounting member and in the other limit position thereof to communicate with and provide liquid ilow through the other set of ports only in said mounting member.

1l. In a proportioning device comprising a casing having liquid inlet and outlet openings respectively at the bottom and top thereof and adapted to contain a mass of soluble material in contact with liquid flowing through the casing, a support member in the casing for the soluble material having a surface portion upon which said material is adapted to rest, said support member having therein a plurality of orifices opening upwardly through said surface portion and tangentially inclined about a center point so that liquid discharged upwardly therethrough is given a swirling motion, valve mechanism including a mounting member secured in the liquid inlet opening in the lower end of the casing and having therein a first set of ports in register with the lower ends of the orifices in the support member and a second series of ports opening laterally into the casing through said mounting member, a valve element cooperatively associated with said mounting member and movable between predetermined limit positions, a handle exteriorly of the casing operable manually to rotate the valve element, and spaced stop means in the path of the handle to limit rotation thereof and of the valve element to said predetermined positions, said valve element having a plurality of passages therein arranged in one limit position of the valve element to communicate with and provide liquid flow through the first set of ports only in the mounting member and in the other limit position thereof to communicate with and provide liquid flow through the other set of ports only in said mounting member.

12. In a proportioning device comprising a casing having liquid inlet and outlet openings respectively at the bottom and top thereof and adapted to contain a mass of soluble material in contact with liquid flowing through the casing, a support member in the casing for the soluble material having a surface portion upon which said material is adapted to rest, said support member having therein a plurality of orifices opening upwardly through said surface portion and tangentially inclined about a center point so that liquid discharged upwardly therethrough is given a swirling motion, valve mechanism including a mounting member secured in a liquid inlet opening in the lower end of the casing and having therein a first set of portsin register with the lower ends of the orifices in the support member and a second series of ports on the same diametrical plane as said first set of ports opening laterally into the casing through said mounting member, a valve element cooperatively associated with said mounting member and movable between predetermined limit positions, said valve element having therein a rst set of passages extending axially therethrough and a second set of passages displaced forty-five degrees circumferentially from the first set of passages and extending only partially in the outer surface of the valve element, said passages being arranged in one REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

Number 412,910 452,172 ajj-'165,1sv1 765,524 867,521

1`0 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Blessing Oct. 15, 1889 West May 12, 1891 Sweet July 12, 1904 Tyson July 19, 1904 Moulton Oct. 1, 19,07 Morrow Mar. 1, 1949 

